What is the secret of success of good sites?

In this article, we will not say that the creation of the site is a complex process that requires attention, mental effort and collective effort. Let’s hope that the greatest importance of the design stage for you is obvious and you understand that it is at the first stage of work that the foundations for the successful functioning of the web resource are laid. And, most importantly, a lot depends on you at this stage.

Ready to get to work? Then this article is for You!

If you have already had time to feel the theme of creating a site, then you will not be the discovery of the paramount importance of such a factor as usability (that is, the convenience of using the site). In any professional company to create sites, you will be told that the site, first of all, should be convenient to users. That’s true.

But, despite the evidence of the above statement, to achieve high levels of usability in practice is quite difficult. To do this, you need to understand the psychology of potential visitors to Your site.

Features of the target audience depend mainly on the scope of Your activity. But there are some General rules, observing that, You can bring Your site closer to the ideal.

Strive for simplicity and clarity!

Simplicity and clarity can be called two pillars on which to base any of Your thoughts on the creation or improvement of the site. Understand that Internet users do not like to think. Don’t make them do it! Don’t make me think – so sounds the first law of usability on Steve Circle.

Visitors to the site will not be patient to achieve the desired effect. They will not even look for the best option to solve their problem. For them, the solution is either there or not (that is, it is difficult to find, understand, apply, etc., etc.) – and in this case, they will immediately leave Your site. It is important to realize that no potential client will not go to Your resource in order to appreciate the charm of its design and even more so in order to unravel the principles of its work. Most often, the user needs very specific information. As for the beautiful design, it is rather an auxiliary element. And the beauty of web design in its simplicity.

It is the principle of simplicity and clarity should be subordinated to the hierarchy of elements on Your site. And the presence of any of the elements must be justified. The web page should not be cluttered. Do not load the user, he is unlikely to be grateful to you. An experienced designer will certainly tell you that free space is an excellent assistant in the perception of information.

Think over your schedule!

Ease of perception also contributes to the graphic balance. It provides a sense of balance and stability so important to any user.

Thinking about the shape of the elements and their location, it is useful to remember that objects that are close to each other, subconsciously perceived by man as a group.

As for colors, it is useful to know that black and white colors are passive. It is better to use them in combination with bright, deep or fresh shades. The latter awaken energy and encourage action.

At the stage of thinking through graphic design, it is important not to overdo it. Use 2-3 colors. Do not overload the site with pictures. Images attract the user’s attention much faster than text, but here you need to show some sensitivity.

Given all of the above and skillfully using their knowledge, you can control the user’s attention and guide it to the cherished goal.

Follow the design of the content!

A wise site owner clearly understands that information (i.e. content) is the user’s goal. Therefore, the quality of the content should not be subject to any doubt. But that’s not the point now.

It is important to take into account the specifics of the perception of Internet users. The fact is that visitors to the site never read everything that is presented there. They do not read the information, they scan it, that is, run through the eyes. And here it is important: what will delay the user’s attention (and whether it will be delayed?). This process You are able to control. To this end, the text must be some “clues” (allocation lists).

When thinking through the content, it is important to remember that when writing the text it is better to use the “pyramid principle”: the main ideas should be voiced at the beginning, and then deciphered, argued and supplemented.

Give users freedom!

All functions and features of Your site should be in the user’s field of view. It is important to understand that any visitor to the site wants everything to be under his control. Communication with Your site should be pleasant for him. This also applies to situations where the link automatically opens in a new window or the user can not adjust its size. Remember, site visitors value their freedom in interacting with Your resource. Therefore, they should see their capabilities (this also applies to the “Back” button, which should take place on any page of Your site).

Use marketing principles!

As you know, business and marketing go hand in hand. You should keep this in mind when creating your own website.

Speaking about the features of graphic design, we have already touched on the topic of user attention management.

Now I want to say about the content of this issue.

One of the effective marketing models is the Aida model, based on the events that occur, or rather should happen to a potential client in case of success:

A-Attention

I-Interest

D-Desire

A-Action

So, the chain of events is Attention-Interest-Desire-Action. Your task: to guide the user through all 4 stages. That is, to attract his attention, then increase interest (by demonstrating the advantages of Your product), then convince him that Your product is the best option (laying out your “trump cards”) and encourage to action, that is, to make a purchase. In this regard, it should be noted that a fairly common situation is when the user is ready to perform the same Action, but he is not given such an opportunity (it is difficult to find a phone or contacts, there is no order form or feedback, etc.). As for the arguments, do not use “empty” and loud slogans, try to operate with facts and demonstrate the benefits of your product on real examples.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to note that for stable success it is necessary to constantly and regularly test your site. And to start such testing is already at the initial stage of creating a site.